Frost 7th
The morning was gray and bleak, with a cold mist hanging low over the river. Myles, soaked to the bone from the storm, trudged through the shallow water, pulling the barge behind him. His breath came out in visible puffs as he struggled against the current, the weight of the barge seeming to drag him down with every step. The muck tried to pull his boots off with every step. This was the second day of a hard march away from Gel Grandal. The pace was already exhausting Myles, but it was just at the threshold of what he could handle, had to handle, he often reminded himself as he pulled the barge upstream.
The Orphan, meanwhile, slept soundly in the cabin, huddled under piles of blankets. The captain stood on the bow, using a long pole to direct the boat and push aside any debris that might impede their progress.
In spite of the heavy layers he wore and the oil on his boots he could feel the cold seeping into him. He was grateful for the work as it kept him moving and helped to chase away the cold or at least give him something other than the cold to think about. He focused on the feel of the rope in his hands and the rhythm of his steps, letting his mind go blank as he worked.
The river was full of dangers this morning, with large branches and other debris floating downstream, but the captain was a skilled navigator and he deftly guided the barge around the obstacles. Myles took his cues from the captain, using the rope to steer the barge in the direction indicated. The captain was terse but when Myles had proven he could actually pull the barge on his own the man had been more thoughtful in their interactions.
As the morning wore on, the mist began to clear, revealing a world blanketed in a light snow. The river was still dangerous, but the visibility improved and the going became easier. By midday, Myles was sweating under his heavy clothes, his hands raw from the rope, but the warmth of even the cloaked sun felt better than the moons cold glare. Even with strips of cloth tied around his hands the knotted rope found ways to chaff him.
As evening encroached the captain called a halt to their journey, Myles halted thankful that he hadn’t been the one to call for a rest. He sat on a crate near the cabin, drinking hot tea from a mug and watching as the captain poured his own, tea by day, and brandy by night seemed to be the man’s rhythm. Not that Myles minded he had both in good quantities and good quality as well. The Orphan emerged from the cabin, looking sleepy but at least rested, the dark under her eyes diminished. “There’s the princess” remarked the captain. Myles was never quite sure if the man was being kind or mocking with his tone, but so long as he was helping them on their journey he didn’t care. Myles nodded to the girl giving her a small wave that was returned by her usual half lidded stare of recognition.
Despite the hardships of the morning, Myles was glad to be on the river, away from the dangers of the city. He knew that there would be challenges ahead, but for now he was content to enjoy the simple pleasures of travel and the warmth of good company. There was however a lurking fear of the shadow monsters that seemed to be plaguing the world with increasing intensity. He hoped that they were only in places where large populations existed to be tormented but he knew better than to count on something like that.
They set up camp on the riverbank, building a fire to warm themselves and cook their dinner The captain settled in next to the fire, holding out his hands to warm them. Myles joined him, the warmth of the fire welcome after the cold, wet day on the river. They ate their dinner in silence for a while, both lost in thought.
"These shadows beasts…" the captain said, breaking the silence. "You really think they can make it down the river?"
Myles nodded. "I've seen them in the city, and they're getting more and more aggressive. I don't see why they couldn't follow us down the river."
The captain looked skeptical. "The river is wide and deep, and the current is strong. I just can't see them making it down here. But who knows what these creatures are capable of."
Myles took a sip of his tea, considering the captain's words. "I suppose we'll have to be cautious regardless. It's better to be safe than sorry, and it’s not like they can’t walk the sides, if they operate by scent of some kind the river may be a our greatest ally".
The captain nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed. So what's your goal on this journey?" he asked, changing the subject. "I'm trying to help a friend," Myles answered, keeping his tone vague. "I've heard that there may be a way to cure what ails her." The girl looked over to him with her usual blank expression as he spoke making him wonder how well she truly understood all that she was going through. The captain nodded understandingly, not pressing for more information. "Well, of course, but what next Myles, any plans for what happens when you aren’t chasing that anymore? Where will you go then?”
Without an immediate answer to give the captain the two of them lapsed into silence again, each lost in thought as they gazed into the fire. The only sound was the crackle of their fire on the riverbank and the constant burble of the river. the warm light of the fire casting flickering shadows on the walls. “I don’t know” Myles finally answered the captain.
As they settled in for the night, Myles lay awake, listening to the sound of the river and the quiet breathing of the Orphan and the captain. He was grateful for their company, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that danger was just around the corner. He resolved to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings and to be ready for anything that might come their way.
With a deep breath, Myles closed his eyes and let sleep claim him, knowing that the journey ahead would be long and difficult, but also knowing that he would face it with the same determination that had pushed him through his previous campaigns, it had to. As he drifted off into a deep sleep, he found himself in a strange and vivid dreamscape.
In the dream, Myles was standing on the deck of the barge, but it had changed from the familiar barge he knew. The deck was dark and slicked with blood, and the river was treacherous, with huge waves crashing against the sides of the barge as if the ocean had chased them from the very shores. The wind was howling, and rain was pouring down in sheets, making it difficult to see. Myles cast his eyes about for the girl, for the captain, and found nothing.
Suddenly, the barge began to shake and lurch, and Myles realized that the barge was being torn apart. He tried to regain his balance, but it was no use. The barge was tossed around like a toy boat, and Myles was thrown into the churning river. As he struggled to stay afloat, Myles felt himself being pulled under by the strong currents. He tried to swim back to the barge, but it was getting further and further away, as if it was being carried off by the storm.
Myles felt a sense of panic rising within him. He was lost and alone, with no way to get back to the safety of the barge. He struggled to keep his head above water, but the currents were too strong. He was being pulled under, deeper and deeper into the river, until he was completely submerged. Fear began to be replaced by a dull acceptance, looking up at the dark moons from beneath the surface Myles wondered if maybe things would be better this way.
Just as he was about to give up, Myles woke up with a start, drenched in sweat. He sat up, gasping for breath, and realized that it was just a nightmare. He looked around and saw that he was still on the barge, safe and sound, the cook fire from dinner still dimly burning out, it couldn’t have even been a few hours. He lay back down, feeling relieved and grateful to be alive. Stepping out of the cabin where they slept Myles stared up at the dark moons over the night sky. The cold winds and the river carrying away all scent and sounds, yet the open sky above them seemed to be watching them, the moons all gazing with their icy stares, bleaching the world of life and leaving it in a frozen still landscape. Throwing some more deadwood on the fire Myles shuddered as howls of distant hunting wolves drifted on the wind, reminding him the shadow monsters were not the only beasts out tonight. lull of the river in the background and the fire before him gave him some security though, enough to feel safe thinking, and so he did. Myles thought about the captain's question. He had been so focused on his goal that he hadn't given much thought to what he would do once he had achieved it. It was scary to realize how long it had been since he’d even thought of any sort of future existing. Still there was much to be done to reach his goals, the luxuries of what comes after would have to wait.
